The Barker Elite Academy is designed for young fast bowlers who want longer-term development.
Fast bowling changes throughout a season.
What a bowler needs in January isn’t necessarily what they need in June. That’s why the programme follows the demands of the cricket calendar.
Pre-season
Pre-season gives us the opportunity to make meaningful improvements without the pressure of needing to perform every weekend.
Early season
Once matches begin, the question changes. Does the work hold up in a game? The focus moves towards transferring what we've developed into competition: accuracy, consistency, match plans, confidence and how the bowler is responding to competitive pressure.
Mid-season
By the middle of the season, I'm not looking to constantly rebuild somebody's action. They're playing. They need to perform. Coaching becomes more about small adjustments, tactical conversations, problem solving and keeping the bowler in a good place physically and technically. Workload also becomes increasingly important.
Late season
Fast bowlers accumulate fatigue. The aim late in the season is to keep performing without chasing unnecessary technical changes. We'll review workloads, maintain the important parts of the action and make sure the bowler can still execute when their body isn't as fresh.
End of season
What improved? What didn't? What held up under pressure? Where did wickets come from? What repeatedly caused problems? What did the player learn about their own game? That gives us a much clearer picture of what the next stage of development should look like. Then we start again with a purpose.
Academy players can also access individual Strength & Conditioning support from a former professional county cricket S&C coach with 10 years’ experience in the professional game. Each programme can be built around the individual player and their stage of development, focusing on:
Speed · Strength · Power · Mobility
The aim isn’t simply to make players stronger in the gym. It’s to develop physical qualities that support their bowling, so technical coaching and physical development work alongside each other.
Explore performance trainingThe Academy isn’t about collecting as many players as possible. It’s for bowlers who genuinely want to improve and are prepared to put the work in between sessions. That doesn’t mean you need to be perfect or already playing representative cricket. Potential isn’t just about where somebody plays now. I’m interested in players who want to learn, compete and get better.
Apply now